ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates daily flight between Bhubaneswar and Rourkela
The flight commences operation from 7th January 2023 and will operate seven days a week
It will act as an important link between Bhubaneswar and Rourkela during the upcoming Hockey World Cup
Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia along with MoS, Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen. Dr Vijay Kumar Singh  today inaugurated a daily flight between Bhubaneswar and Rourkela under the RCS UDAN scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
The operation of this new route will enhance regional connectivity and promote trade, commerce, and tourism between these cities. The flight will operate seven days a week effective from 7th January 2023 as per the following schedule:
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From
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To
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Dep.
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Arr.
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Freq.
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Bhubaneswar
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Rourkela
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1455
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1550
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Daily
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Rourkela
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Bhubaneswar
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1615
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1710
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Daily
In his inaugural address, Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia congratulated the residents of both cities and said that there had been unprecedented growth in the Indian civil aviation in last eight years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There were only 74 airports in the country till 2014, today this number including heliports and water aerodromes has increased to 148 which is a 100% increase in eight years.
Minister further said that before the pandemic there was a record established that four lakh twenty thousand passengers travelled in a single day. Now that record has been broken and four lakh fifty thousand passengers travelled in a day. In December 2022, more than four lakh passengers travelled each day of the month.
In the context of the upcoming Hockey World Cup which will be organised in these cities of Odisha, the Minster said that earlier the travel time between Kalinga Stadium Bhubaneswar to Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium Rourkela used to be nine hours which will now be reduced to one hour ten minutes through flight.
MoS, Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen. Dr Vijay Kumar Singh  congratulated the residents of the cities and said that there had been significant growth in civil aviation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This new connectivity will play a vital role in the development of the region.
The inauguration was graced by Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education, and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Shri. Jual Oram, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Smt. Tukuni Sahu, Minister, Government of Odisha, Shri Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, Government of Odisha. Additionally, Shri Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shri Sanjiv Kumar, Chairman, AAI, Shri. Asangba Chuba Ao, JS, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shri Vikram Devdutt, CMD, AIAHL and Shri. Vineet Sood, CEO, Alliance Air were also present.
Ministry of Finance
Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2019-20  – Issue Price
In terms of Government of India Notification No. F. No. 4-W&M/2019 dated
May 30, 2019 and Press Release dated May 31, 2019, Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2019-20  will be opened for subscription for the period June 03-June 07, 2019. The issue price of the Bond during this subscription period shall be Rs.3,196  – per gram with Settlement date June 11, 2019, as also published by RBI in their Press Release dated May 31, 2019.
Government of India in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India has decided to allow discount of Rs. 50  per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and the payment is made through digital mode. For such investors the issue price of Gold Bond will be `3,146  per gram of gold.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Funding for Farmer Producer Organisations 
Additional fund requirement are considered at Revised Estimate  stage, based on expenditure progress at that stage and committed liabilities, pending proposals, etc.
The Central Sector Scheme for “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations ” to form and promote 10,000 new FPOs has a total budgetary outlay of Rs.6865 Crores.
Formation & promotion of FPOs are to be done through Implementing Agencies , which further engage Cluster Based Business Organizations to form & provide professional handholding support to FPOs for a period of 05 years including preparation and execution of business plan for the concerned FPOs for ensuring better marketing & market linkages on sustainable basis.
Under the said Central Sector Scheme, Implementing Agencies  have been allocated a total of 4965 FPO produce clusters, out of which a total of 2315 number of FPOs have been registered in the country.
So far, a total of Rs. 410 Crores has been released to respective Implementing Agencies under the scheme to form & promote FPOs which includes:-
- an amount of Rs. 14.05 Crores transferred to 352 FPOs towards matching equity grant, which is required to strengthen financial base of FPOs and help them to get credit from financial institutions for their projects and working capital requirements for business development.
- An amount of Rs. 108.82 crores as FPO Management Cost is transferred to concerned Implementing Agencies for onward transferring to the respective FPOs. This will provide financial support to the FPOs to the extent provided to make them sustainable and economically viable.
Further, in order to ensure access of FPOs to credit a dedicated Credit Guarantee Fund has created with NABARD.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM releases results of 4th cycle of All India Tiger Estimation – 2018
Count of Tigers in India rises to 2967; PM describes this as a historic achievement
On the occasion of Global Tiger Day today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the results of the fourth cycle of All India Tiger Estimation - 2018, at Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi.
The count of tigers in India, has risen to 2967, in 2018, according to this survey.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister described this as a historic achievement for India, and reaffirmed India’s commitment towards protecting the tiger. The Prime Minister appreciated the speed and dedication with which various stakeholders worked to achieve this. He described it as one of the finest examples of Sankalp Se Siddhi. Once the people of India decide to do something, there is no force that can prevent them from getting the desired results, he declared.
The Prime Minister said that with almost 3000 tigers, India is today among the biggest and most secure habitats.
Shri Narendra Modi asserted that the way ahead is “collectiveness” instead of “selectiveness.” He said that a broad-based and holistic look is essential for environmental conservation. He said, it is possible to strike a healthy balance between development and environment. “In our policies, in our economics, we have to change the conversation about conservation,” he added.
India will build more homes for our citizens and that the same time create quality habitats for animals. India will have a vibrant marine economy and a healthier marine ecology. This balance is what will contribute to a strong and inclusive India, the Prime Minister asserted.
He expressed confidence that India will prosper both economically and environmentally; India will build more roads and India will have cleaner rivers; India will have better train connectivity and also greater tree coverage.
He said that in the last five years, while work has proceeded at a fast pace for next-generation infrastructure, the forest cover in the country has also grown. There has also been an increase in the “protected areas.” In 2014, there were 692 protected areas, which increased to more than 860 in 2019. The “Community Reserves” have also grown from 43, in 2014, to more than 100 now.
He said that India is making a sustained effort to make its economy “clean-fuel based” and “renewable energy based.” He said “waste” and “bio-mass” are being made a big part of India’s energy security. He mentioned the progress made in schemes such as “Ujjwala” and “Ujala” for LPG connections and LED bulbs, respectively.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister called for even greater efforts, towards Tiger Conservation.
The Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javdekar; the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Shri Babul Supriyo; and the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Shri C.K. Mishra, were present on the occasion.
Ministry of Home Affairs
High Level Committee chaired by Union Home Minister approves Central assistance of Rs 7,214.03 crore to States affected by natural disasters
The High Level Committee chaired by the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, approved the additional Central assistance from National Disaster Response Fund  of Rs 7214.03 crore to 6 States and one Union Territory, viz. Rs 317.44 crore to Himachal Pradesh , Rs 191.73 crore to Uttar Pradesh , Rs. 900.40 crore to Andhra Pradesh , Rs. 127.60 crore to Gujarat , Rs. 949.49 crore to Karnataka , Rs. 4,714.28 crore to Maharashtra  and Rs. 13.09 crore to UT of Puducherry .
The meeting was held here today to consider the additional Central Assistance to these six States and one UT, which were affected by floods, landslides, cloudburst & cyclone Gaja and drought  during 2018-19.
The Union Finance Minister, Shri Piyush Goel, Union Minister for Agriculture, Shri Radha Mohan Singh and senior officers of the Ministries of Home Affairs, Finance, Agriculture and NITI Aayog were present in the meeting.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Enrolment under PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana
Government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan DhanYojana  on 12.9.2019 with a view to provide social security to Small and Marginal Farmers in their old age when they have no means of livelihood and minimal or no savings to take care of their expenses. Under this scheme, a minimum fixed pension of Rs.3,000/- is provided to the small and marginal farmers, subject to certain exclusion criteria, on attaining the age of 60 years. Small and Marginal Farmers between the age of 18 to 40 years are eligible to join this scheme. For enrollment, the eligible farmer is required to approach the nearest Common Service Center  or the Nodal Officer  nominated by the State / UT Governments. The farmers may also register themselves through the web-portal of the scheme www.pmkmy.gov.in.
It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme. The eligible farmer is required to contribute to a Pension Fund between Rs.55 to Rs.200 per month depending on the entry age. The Central Government also contributes in equal amount to the Pension Fund.
So far , 19,97,553 farmers have registered themselves for the Scheme
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Education
Artificial Intelligence has been introduced as a subject in class IX from the session 2019-20 in the schools affiliated with CBSE-HRD Minister
In order to enhance multidisciplinary approach in teaching-learning and to sensitize the new generation, Artificial Intelligence has been introduced as a subject in class IX from the session 2019-20 in the schools affiliated with Central Board of Secondary Education . A twelve hours ‘Inspire’ module on Artificial Intelligence has also been announced, which schools can take up with the students of class VIII. The study material for teaching Artificial Intelligence in classes VIII and IX has already been provided to schools through the CBSE’s website .
CBSE has collaborated with several organizations such as Intel, IBM, Microsoft, Private Schools, etc. 41 training programmes on Artificial Intelligence has been conducted in schools affiliated with CBSE at various parts of the country in which 1690 participants  have been trained. Artificial Intelligence has been introduced in classes VIII, IX & X in schools affiliated with CBSE. Decision to introduce Artificial Intelligence in the States and UTs will have to be taken by the respective Boards.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in field of Geosciences between the Joint Stock Company Rosgeologia, Russia and the Geological Survey of India , India
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding  on cooperation in the field of Geosciences between the Joint Stock Company Rosgeologia  , a legal entity incorporated under the laws of the Russian Federation and the Geological Survey of India , Ministry of Mines, Government of India.
The main objective of this MoU is to extend mutual cooperation for technological collaboration on exploration for deep-seated and / or concealed mineral deposit; analysis and interpretation of the aero-geophysical data; PGE and REE Exploration and Research; Joint development of the Indian Geoscience Data repository with the Russian state-of-the-art Information Technology; exchange of technology & knowledge in the field of drilling, sampling and laboratory analysis to achieve data accuracy, and cost optimization; and training and capacity building of scientific personnel etc., between "both the parties in the fields of Geosciences.
In view of the rich experience of ROSGEO and GSI and their potential of cooperation, this MoU is particularly beneficial in order to provide an umbrella framework for co-operation between GSI and ROSGEO in the field of Geosciences.
Background:
Joint Stock Company Rosgeologia  is the largest geological State holding company in the Russian Federation with a developed production and technical capabilities, high professional competences and a unique scope of accumulated geological information. The company performs all types of geological prospecting and exploration activities from regional surveys for all types of mineral resources to estimation of the reserves and commissioning of the fields into operation, it possesses the unique competence in the area of offshore geological and on-shelf operations.
During the visit to India in the year 2020, a delegation of ROSGEO had a meeting with the Ministry of Mines and Geological Survey of India  to discuss the perspectives of Cooperation in exploration works in New Delhi. In this meeting, an MoU was proposed to be signed between GSI and ROSGEO on cooperation in the Field of Geosciences. Accordingly, GSI finalized a draft MoU in consultation with its Russian counterpart i.e. ROSGEO.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Income tax exemption for gratuity enhanced Up to Rs. 20 lakhs
Ministry of Finance has enhanced the income tax exemption for gratuity under section 10   of the Income Tax Act, 1961 to Rs. 20 lakhs. Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Labour and Employment has expressed hope that this would benefit those employees of PSUs and other employees not covered by Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 and has thanked the Finance Minister for enhancing the exemption limit.
The ceiling of Gratuity amount under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 has been raised from time to time keeping in view over-all economic condition and employers capacity to pay and the salaries of the employees, which have been increased in private sector and in PSUs. The latest such enhancement of ceiling of gratuity was made vide Government of India Notification dated 29.03.2018 under which the gratuity amount ceiling has been increased from Rs.10 lakhs to 20 lakhs w.e.f. 29.3.2018.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Transformation of Food Corporation of India to be done on a fast track mode: Shri Piyush Goyal at 59th Foundation Day of FCI
Strict action will be taken against those found involved in corruption: Shri Goyal
FCI to adopt a policy of zero tolerance for corruption: Shri Goyal
Institutionalise mechanism to reward whistleblowers: Shri Goyal
Shri Goyal lauds FCI for carrying out world’s largest food supply chain system during the pandemic under the “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana”
The transformation of Food Corporation of India  should be done on a fast track mode so that the organization can continue to help the people, the poor and the farmers of the country. This was stated by Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Textiles and Commerce & Industry while delivering the inaugural address at the 59th Foundation Day of FCI here today.
In his speech, Shri Goyal directed the Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution to monitor the transformation of FCI and Central Warehousing Corporation  every week and to update him on the status on a fortnightly basis. He said strict action has to be taken against the officers who do not cooperate with or delay the transformation process.
Taking about the ongoing investigation against alleged cases of corruption in FCI, Shri Goyal said that it’s a wake-up call for the organisation and assured that no one found involved in corrupt practices will be spared. He said FCI will follow the principle of Zero tolerance for corruption.
Shri Goyal directed the Secretary to institutionalise a mechanism wherein whistleblowers may be rewarded. He called out to all officers and staff of FCI to report any incident of corruption.
Shri Goyal praised the way FCI carried out the world’s largest food supply chain system, especially during the pandemic to ensure seamless supply of foodgrains under the “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana” . He said that despite Covid pandemic, no one slept hungry in the country.
He said that India has set a global example in the areas of food security, strengthening economic scenario, controlling inflation and others.
Shri Goyal mentioned that the rice procurement figures for the year are good and he looked forward to a robust wheat procurement in the coming season as well.
Virtually attending the event, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti applauded the remarkable job undertaken by FCI during the pandemic by ensuring sufﬁcient supply of food grains in every part of the country especially to vulnerable sections of the society under PM’s visionary scheme of PMGKAY.
Secretary DFPD, Shri Sanjeev Chopra was also present at the event and directed CMD FCI, Shri Ashok KK Meena to ensure a system of eliminating corruption and providing an efficient and transparent service to the people.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
About 48.96 Lakh Paddy Farmers have benefitted from KMS Procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 78423.17 Crore
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 has progressed smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Odisha Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Jharkhand with purchase of over 415.37 LMTs of paddy up to 20.12.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 341.68 LMT showing an increase of 21.56 % over last year. Out of the total purchase of 415.37 LMT, Punjab alone has purchased 202.77 LMT till the close of procurement season in the state on 30.11.2020 which is 48.81% of total procurement in the country.
About 48.96 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 78423.17 Crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 51.00 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme . Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 20.12.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 204529.20 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs. 1096.13 Crores benefitting 112077 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs.52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu upto 20.12.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of 293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka. Till 20.12.2020 a quantity of 5835040 cotton bales valuing Rs.17090.58 Crore has been procured benefitting 1125857 farmers.
Special Service and Features
Smt V. Sobhana, takes charge as new Head of DoT, Kerala LSA
Kochi :July 3, 2023
Smt V Sobhana, ITS, Additional Director General Telecom, has taken over as the Head of Kerala LSA, Department of Telecommunications, Kochi. She is the first lady officer to occupy that position.
She is a graduate in Electronics & Telecommunications from College of Engineering, Trivandrum, and joined the Indian Telecommunications Service  in 1987. She is a native of Thiruvananthapuram.
She has vast experience of over 34 years and has served in different positions in BSNL and DOT, in various places.
She had also served as Area Manager in Ernakulam, Principal Regional Telecom Training Centre in Trivandrum, General Manager in Advanced Level Telecommunications Training Centre  Ghaziabad, and DDG in National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research, Innovations & Training .
Prior to assuming charge as Head of DoT Kerala LSA, she was functioning as the Deputy Director General, Technology in DoT Kerala LSA.
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